Glorying in the Cross: Hope and Transformation
Summary
In Galatians 6:14, Paul declares, "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." This statement encapsulates the essence of the Christian faith, focusing on the cross as the central symbol of salvation and hope. The cross, despite its historical association with suffering and death, stands as a beacon of hope and redemption. It is a reminder of the sacrifice Jesus made for humanity, bearing the sins of the world to offer forgiveness and eternal life to all who believe.
Reflecting on the cross, we see its presence in various forms and places, from the towering structure atop St. Paul's Cathedral to the humble emblem worn around a believer's neck. The cross unites Christians across denominations, symbolizing the shared belief in Christ's sacrificial love. Paul, despite his many accomplishments and attributes, chose to glory only in the cross because it represents the ultimate act of love and the sole path to salvation.
The cross challenges us to confront the reality of sin and the depth of God's love. It is a call to repentance and faith, urging us to turn from our old ways and embrace a new life in Christ. This transformation is not merely a change in behavior but a profound renewal of the heart and mind, leading to a life of service and love for others.
Moreover, the cross is a motivation for service. It compels us to act out of love and compassion, following the example of Christ. Whether it's helping the poor, advocating for justice, or simply loving our neighbors, the cross inspires us to live out our faith in tangible ways. It assures us of a glorious future, a promise of eternal life with God, made possible through the resurrection of Jesus.
The invitation to come to the cross is open to all. It requires a response of repentance, faith, and public acknowledgment of Christ as Lord. This decision is not to be taken lightly, as it demands a commitment to follow Christ wholeheartedly. Yet, it is a decision that brings peace, forgiveness, and a new beginning.
Key Takeaways:
- The cross is the central symbol of the Christian faith, representing the sacrifice of Jesus and the hope of salvation. It unites believers across denominations and calls us to glory in nothing else but the cross. [01:54]
- The cross challenges us to confront our sin and recognize the depth of God's love. It is a call to repentance and faith, urging us to embrace a new life in Christ. [05:25]
- The cross motivates us to serve others, following Christ's example of love and compassion. It inspires us to live out our faith in tangible ways, helping those in need and advocating for justice. [15:56]
- The cross assures us of a glorious future, promising eternal life with God through the resurrection of Jesus. It is a source of hope and a reminder of the victory over sin and death. [19:16]
- The invitation to come to the cross is open to all, requiring repentance, faith, and public acknowledgment of Christ as Lord. This decision brings peace, forgiveness, and a new beginning. [21:38]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:53] - The Cross in History
[01:54] - The Centrality of the Cross
[02:40] - Paul's Glory in the Cross
[03:14] - The Cruelty of the Cross
[04:32] - The Love of Christ
[05:25] - Hope for All
[06:05] - Doubts and Faith
[07:45] - The Exclusivity of Salvation
[08:33] - The Narrow Path
[10:13] - Living the Christian Life
[12:29] - Transformation Through the Cross
[15:56] - Motivation for Service
[16:40] - Attitudes Toward the Cross
[19:16] - Invitation to the Cross
[21:38] - Public Commitment to Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Galatians 6:14
Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he says he will glory only in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ? [01:54]
2. How does the sermon describe the historical significance of the cross in different locations and contexts? [00:53]
3. What are some of the reasons given in the sermon for why Paul could have gloried in other aspects of Jesus' life but chose the cross instead? [02:40]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the cruelty of the cross and its significance for Jesus' sacrifice? [03:14]
Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does the sermon emphasize the cross as the central symbol of the Christian faith, despite its association with suffering and death? [01:54]
2. How does the cross challenge believers to confront their sin and understand the depth of God's love? [05:25]
3. In what ways does the cross motivate Christians to serve others, according to the sermon? [15:56]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the exclusivity of salvation through the cross, and how might this be perceived in today's world? [07:45]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal understanding of the cross. How has it influenced your faith journey, and what does it mean to you today? [01:54]
2. The sermon calls for a response of repentance and faith. What steps can you take this week to deepen your commitment to Christ? [19:16]
3. Consider the ways in which the cross motivates you to serve others. Identify one specific action you can take this week to help someone in need. [15:56]
4. The sermon mentions the importance of public acknowledgment of Christ as Lord. How can you share your faith more openly in your community? [21:38]
5. The cross assures believers of a glorious future. How does this promise of eternal life impact your daily life and decisions? [19:16]
6. Reflect on the sermon’s call to embrace a new life in Christ. What old habits or attitudes do you need to let go of to fully live out this transformation? [05:25]
7. How can you use the message of the cross to inspire hope and encouragement in someone else's life this week? [19:16]
Devotional
Day 1: The Cross as the Heart of Faith
The cross stands as the central symbol of the Christian faith, representing the profound sacrifice of Jesus and the hope of salvation. Despite its historical association with suffering and death, the cross is a beacon of hope and redemption. It serves as a reminder of the sacrifice Jesus made for humanity, bearing the sins of the world to offer forgiveness and eternal life to all who believe. The cross unites Christians across denominations, symbolizing the shared belief in Christ's sacrificial love. Paul, despite his many accomplishments and attributes, chose to glory only in the cross because it represents the ultimate act of love and the sole path to salvation. [01:54]
Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Reflection: What does it mean for you to glory only in the cross in your daily life? How can you make the cross the central focus of your faith today?
Day 2: Confronting Sin and Embracing God's Love
The cross challenges us to confront the reality of sin and recognize the depth of God's love. It is a call to repentance and faith, urging us to turn from our old ways and embrace a new life in Christ. This transformation is not merely a change in behavior but a profound renewal of the heart and mind, leading to a life of service and love for others. The cross invites us to acknowledge our shortcomings and accept the boundless love that God offers through Jesus Christ. [05:25]
Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: What specific sin or old habit do you need to confront and surrender to God today? How can you embrace the new life that Christ offers?
Day 3: Serving Others Through the Cross
The cross motivates us to serve others, following Christ's example of love and compassion. It inspires us to live out our faith in tangible ways, helping those in need and advocating for justice. The cross compels us to act out of love and compassion, whether it's helping the poor, advocating for justice, or simply loving our neighbors. It is a call to live a life of service, reflecting the love of Christ in our actions and interactions with others. [15:56]
1 John 3:17-18 (ESV): "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: Who is someone in your community that you can serve today? What specific action can you take to show Christ's love to them?
Day 4: Assurance of a Glorious Future
The cross assures us of a glorious future, promising eternal life with God through the resurrection of Jesus. It is a source of hope and a reminder of the victory over sin and death. The cross stands as a testament to the promise of eternal life, offering believers the assurance of a future with God. This hope is not just for the future but impacts how we live today, giving us strength and courage to face life's challenges with the knowledge that victory is already won. [19:16]
1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."
Reflection: How does the promise of eternal life with God influence your daily decisions and outlook on life? What can you do today to live in the hope of this glorious future?
Day 5: The Invitation to the Cross
The invitation to come to the cross is open to all, requiring repentance, faith, and public acknowledgment of Christ as Lord. This decision is not to be taken lightly, as it demands a commitment to follow Christ wholeheartedly. Yet, it is a decision that brings peace, forgiveness, and a new beginning. The cross invites everyone to experience the transformative power of Christ's love and to publicly declare their faith in Him. [21:38]
Romans 10:9-10 (ESV): "Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."
Reflection: Have you publicly acknowledged your faith in Christ? If not, what steps can you take to make this commitment today? If you have, how can you reaffirm this commitment in your daily life?
Quotes
Now you, many of you, are very religious and you have embossed upon your Bibles a cross or you wear a cross around your neck. And the thing that I want to ask you tonight is this. What does the cross mean to you? Why do all the Catholic churches and all the Protestant churches have a cross? That's the one thing we agree on is the cross. The whole Christian world looks to the cross. Why did Paul say that he gloried in it more than anything else in all the world? [00:01:39] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Paul could have gloried in his education. He was one of the most educated men of his time. He could have gloried in his religion. He was very religious. He could have gloried in his ability to speak several languages. He was fluent in several. He could have gloried in the fact that he was a Christian. He could have gloried in the fact that he was a Roman citizen. But he didn't. Or he could have gloried in certain things about Jesus Christ other than the cross. His spectacular, miraculous birth. Born of a virgin, the Virgin Mary. [00:02:16] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Because you see, only in Jesus Christ can we find forgiveness of sins. He was bearing our sins on the cross. People ask me constantly as they write, is there any hope? Is there any hope for me? Can Christ save me? Prostitutes, alcoholics, robbers, murderers, prisoners, people filled with racial prejudice, people who hold in their hearts anti-Semitism, is there any hope for me? People who have done many evil things, both corporately and privately, is there any hope for me? [00:05:10] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Paul gloried in the cross because it is the only way of salvation. Nothing else will save. The cross is the only way. There is a way. The Bible says, oh, there are other ways of salvation. So we're taught by many teachers that seemeth right. But the end thereof is the way of death. There's only one way, by the cross. And that's one reason why people don't like to talk about the cross or the exclusiveness of salvation. [00:07:37] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
He doesn't ask us to live the Christian life alone. I cannot live the Christian life. I'll be honest with you. I cannot do it. But Christ can live it through me if I will let Him. And He can produce the fruit of the Spirit. He can give me a love and a joy and a peace that I'll never find anywhere in this world. He can give me the certainty of my eternal life. [00:10:37] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
There comes a point there comes a moment sometime somewhere when you must receive christ into your heart paul gloried in the cross because it expresses the depth of sin because it shows the love of god because it's the only way of salvation and fourthly because he knew that it gave a new dynamic to life once you've been to the cross you can never be the same therefore if any of you have been to the cross you can never be the same Any man be in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things are passed away. Behold, all things have become new, the Scripture says. You'll never be the same once you come to Christ. [00:11:51] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
I remember the night I came to Christ. I stood with about 300 or 400 other people, made my commitment to Christ, and while I was standing there, I felt like a fool. I started turning around and go back. A woman next to me was weeping, and I didn't have any tears. I had no emotion at all, except fear. Afraid to abstain. [00:12:29] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
do you know Christ it's a motivation for service what motivates you to go out and help the hungry and the poor and the oppressed my son spends his time a great deal of his time in the third world helping the poor and the needy going to little dispensaries and little hospitals and sending doctors to help them and he was out on one of those boats in the China Sea helping pick up those refugees a couple years ago what motivates him why does he go to some place in Africa go all through New Guinea go through India or Bangladesh or some of these places to try to help because he loves Christ it's Christ that motivates you what motivates you or do you have any motivation at all to help others [00:14:41] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
The cross in all languages means come to the cross, find salvation. Come to the cross and find peace. Come to the cross and find forgiveness. Come is the invitation of the whole Bible. Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I'll give you rest. Come to the cross. I'm asking you tonight to come to the cross. You say, well, what do I have to do? Three things. Christ has paid the price on the cross. He's been raised from the dead. [00:19:04] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
How do you receive it? First, by repenting of sin. That means to turn to the Lord. That's the good news. First, to change your thinking, to change your mind, to change your attitude, and to change your way of living. Let Christ come and be in control of your life. That's repentance. Saying to God, I have sinned and I'm sorry for it. Forgive me. That's repentance. But then you must by faith receive him, and that word faith may trip you up. [00:20:06] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Faith means that you totally commit to Christ, just as I'm standing on this platform. And my body is committed to this platform. So you stand with your whole life and everything you have, you put on Christ. Your hope is in him and him alone. He becomes the one that you trust totally and completely for your salvation. [00:20:35] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
There was a minister preaching on the thief on the cross once, and some man yelled from the congregation and said, what about that thief on the cross? And quick as a flash, the minister said, which thief? Because you see, one died and was lost, and one died and was saved. And that's the only story of deathbed repentance in the whole Bible. So you better not wait. The Bible says today is the day of salvation. Now is the accepted time. [00:21:41] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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